Islamabad (Sports News):Pakistan Air Force started their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Pakistan Navy thanks to Arsalan’s stoppage time goal while three other matches ended in draws as the National Challenge Cup kicked off across two venues in Karachi on Wednesday.
The heavyweight clash between two-time defending champions WAPDA and Khan Research Laboratories ended in a goalless draw, while Pakistan Railways scored late to hold Pakistan Army to a 1-1 draw.
SA Gardens also came from behind, scoring deep into injury time, to secure a point against PACA.
PAF 1-0 Navy (KPT Stadium)
The match was on an even keel until a long throw from the left resulted in an error by the goalkeeper and the ball fell kindly to Arsalan, who fired into the roof of the net two minutes into time added on.
PAF next play Mamsons on Friday while Navy conclude group play against Mamsons on Sunday.
Wapda 0-0 KRL (KMC Stadium)
A feisty game saw both teams cancel each other out with chances few and far between.
“Both teams were well-matched so a draw is a fair result,” said Wapda head coach Mohammad Habib.
KRL are next in action on Friday against Hazara Coal, who play Wapda in the final group fixture on Sunday.
Army 1-1 Railways (KPT Stadium):
After a goalless first half, Army broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when Rafay broke free to put the ball in the back of the net.
Railways grabbed the equaliser in the 88th minute when Mohammad Suleman when got to the end of a throughball by Mohammad Abdullah and ran through to score.
“Our plan was to counterattack and it worked in the end,” said Railways head coach Nasir Ismail, whose side are next in action on Friday against International Supply Company.
PACA 1-1 SA Gardens (KMC Stadium):
SA Gardens scored in the third minute of injury time to secure a draw with Umar Javed tapping in from a low cross.
PACA had opened the scoring in the seventh minute of time added on at the end of the first half through Sharef Khan.
PACA play NIMSO next on Tuesday.
